Agent



F. J. WOOLEN BAG CLOSURE March 17, 1964 Filed June 6, 1962 FIG. 2.

FIG. 3.

FLETCHER J WOOLEN INVENTOR.

-m a I 39/ w 7 AGENT United States Patent 3,125,281 BAG CLQSURE Fletcher J. Woolen, 170 E. A St, Upland, Calif. Filed June 6, 1962, Ser. No. 200,413 1 Claim. (Cl. 229-63) This invention relates to a bag closure and the provision of cut away portions at the sides of the bag top to serve as a convenient handling means and to facilitate inspection of the bag contents.

The bag of this invention is largely used in the type used in handling produce such as potatoes, onions and the like which are packed in ten pound bags with five of these bags being placed in a fifty pound bag. The usual closure means for such a bag is to sew or stitch the flaps together across the bag top or to bunch the top of the bag, wind a cord around the same and tie the said cord in a knot. This provides certain difiiculties in handling of the bag as well as in the opening either for use or inspection of the bag contents. One of the problems presented in connection with inspection of carload lots, where a number of bags are selected at random, the bags are ripped open sufiiciently to allow inspection and the inspected bags are left in a condition where it is often necessary to repack the contents. Another problem is with regard to handling and inspection after delivery to the retail stores.

There it is usually necessary to unpack the produce bags of potatoes, onions, etc., and provide for some means of ventilation to prevent spoilage.

The present invention, however, solves certain of these problems by combining a convenient and economical bag closure with a hand hold that also provides for convenient inspection of the bag contents without material damage to the bag.

Another feature of this invention is the fact that for a given bag capacity, less material is required in the manufacture thereof since there is not as much of the bag top wasted in sewing or tying the same in order to provide a closure.

A still further feature of this invention is the provision of an alternative means of reinforcing the bag top closure to meet the needs of varying sizes and weight requirements that are encountered in the handling of a variety of produce.

Although the foregoing objects are regarded as primary in this invention, other features will become apparent as the specification proceeds and from the illustration in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a bag showing the top closed and the combined hand hold and inspection openings.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the top portion of the bag illustrating the flaps as they appear in the process of being closed.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the bag, but showing the use of the cord only as a means of holding the flaps in closed position, and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a bag top representing closure thereof by means of both the adhesive flaps and the cord lacing.

3,125,281 Patented Mar. 17, 1964 Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the bag is designated generally by the reference character 1, the creased fold thereof being indicated by 2, the general form and shape of the body portion of said bag being that of the larger type of paper bag.

In the manufacture of a bag including the features of the present invention, the bag in flat folded condition with the crease 2 extending outwardly is cut at the upper corner to provide the downwardly extending arcuate formation 3. The flaps 4, 5 are then folded over each other with the adhesive surface 5a of flap 5 adhering to the outer and upper surface of flap 4. FIG. 2 shows the flaps 4, 5 in the process of being sealed. FIG. 1 demonstrates the hand hold opening that is formed by the cut out 3 and the sealed flaps 4, 5. It is essential that the arcuate cut 3 be deep enough to allow easy access for grasping the bag as well as for inspection. Also the armate cut avoids the tendency to tear that is likely with a straight out at point 3 that results in an angular shape at the base of the flaps. The opening resulting from the cut 3 and the closed flaps is also important in that it provides ventilation for the produce in the bags.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the versatility of the closure means since the flaps may be closed by adhesive means by applying the adhesive material to the inner surface 5a of flap 5, and folding the same over to adhere to the outer surface of flap 4.

Also the flaps 4, 5 may simply be folded over each other and held in place by a cord '6 laced under tabs 7. This closure means is most useful in connection with the type of produce where easy access is needed for inspection, and where easy opening and reclosing is desirable.

Finally, as indicated in FIG. 4 both the adhesive and laced cord type of closure may be used where greater strength is required due to increased weight of the bag contents or where handling conditions require additional closure fastening.

While certain specific forms of the invention have been shown and described, in preferred form, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made as deemed desirable within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a paper bag, a closure means comprising cut away portions at each side of the bag top, the resulting rflaps being joined by adhesive material and being reinforced by a cord laced back and forth over the said flaps, the cord being secured by looping the same under button type fasteners on the upper side walls of the bag body adjacent the lower port-ion of the said flaps, the said cut away portions at each side of the bag top being so shaped as to provide substantially circular openings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,001,761 Bear May 21, 1935 2,279,989 Hirschberg Apr. 14, 1942 3,023,472 Ranseen Mar. 6, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 512,789 Belgium July 31, 1952 

